Lodi Wins the America’s Favorite Small Town 2026 Title

Parade and Steller have selected Lodi, California as the national winner of America’s Favorite Small Towns 2026. The recognition celebrates Lodi’s wine legacy, historic downtown, community spirit, and enduring small-town pride.

Lodi Takes the National Title

After a nationwide search involving hundreds of communities and hundreds of thousands of votes, Lodi earned the America’s Favorite Small Town 2026 distinction from Parade and Steller.

The honor reflects the efforts of the entire community, including residents, small business owners, growers, winemakers, restaurant teams, downtown merchants, hospitality partners, artists, volunteers, and everyone who voted or helped spread the word. Their collective support has brought national attention to what makes Lodi special.

A National Competition

Parade and Steller created the America’s Favorite Small Towns competition to highlight communities that represent the American experience. The 2026 program launched in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Parade’s 85th anniversary.

Tourism boards, municipalities, and residents from throughout the country were invited to nominate their towns. The field began with communities across the United States, narrowed to 40 finalists, and then became 10 regional winners. Lodi was chosen as one of two West regional winners before claiming the national title.

Lodi is now officially America’s Favorite Small Town 2026.

What Set Lodi Apart

Parade and Steller honored Lodi for its unmatched community spirit, historic downtown, wine legacy, agricultural heritage, and strong local pride.

Known as the Zinfandel Capital of the World, Lodi is rooted in a wine region shaped by multi-generational farming families, world-class vineyards, old-vine Zinfandel, and more than 135 grape varietals. The character of Lodi, however, extends beyond what is in the glass. Its welcoming, approachable spirit is central to the experience.

Visitors can enter tasting rooms without pretense, meet the people behind each bottle, explore the historic downtown, dine at local restaurants, browse farmers markets, paddle at Lodi Lake, experience the Mokelumne River, and enjoy a California wine country destination that remains personal, authentic, and refreshingly down to earth.

This is wine country with heart.

A Community Achievement

The competition’s outcome was driven by the people who live in Lodi and those who return to enjoy it. The source page includes remarks from Wes Rhea, President and CEO of Visit Lodi, expressing excitement and gratitude to residents, small business owners, hospitality partners, voters, and everyone who encouraged their friends, families, and coworkers to support Lodi. The remarks emphasize shared community ownership of the win, the town’s heartfelt participation, and appreciation for the national attention from Parade and Steller.

That pride is visible throughout Lodi: in tasting rooms, family farms, downtown shops, festivals, restaurants, public spaces, and the way local people welcome visitors as though they already belong.

What the National Win Brings

As the national winner, Lodi will receive expanded editorial coverage across Parade and Steller platforms, permission to use the official America’s Favorite Small Town 2026 winner badge, and a special Parade x Steller celebration at Lodi Lake on July 4.

Additional information about the July 4 celebration will be announced soon. In the meantime, Lodi is celebrating an achievement built on years of community pride, local investment, hospitality, creativity, and hard work.

Visit America’s Favorite Small Town

Lodi has long been a welcoming place to visit, and the national title adds another reason to experience it. Travelers can plan a wine tasting weekend, family getaway, downtown day trip, outdoor adventure, or first visit to California’s Central Valley.

Explore the wineries, stroll through downtown, visit Lodi Lake, stay overnight, and meet the makers, farmers, chefs, artists, and small business owners who shape the town’s character. Lodi is enjoying a national moment and is proud to share it.

Welcome to America’s Favorite Small Town 2026.

Plan a Visit to America’s Favorite Small Town

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No Reservations? A First-Timer’s Guide to Wine Tasting in Lodi

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Author

Wes Rhea

President & CEO @ Visit Lodi

As CEO of Visit Lodi, Wes Rhea focuses on helping people create great trips—and occasionally taking one himself. A traveler at heart, he enjoys wine tasting, quirky museums, and spontaneous drives down country roads. After nearly two decades leading destination marketing in California, he remains especially enthusiastic about what comes next.

Current obsession: Lodi-grown Cinsault.